Historical Sabah: delving deep into Borneo’s wondrous landscapes and colourful past
This 8D7N journey through Sabah – Malaysia’s Bornean exclave – kicks off in remote Sadakan. Here you’ll admire orang utans and rescued sun bears in a pair of conservation centres, then spot more dazzling fauna on a boat ride up Sabah’s longest river, the Kinabatangan. At this journey’s end, a candle-lit dinner awaits amid magical mangroves and glittering fireflies. Punctuating the following days of adventure are further, fabulous cruises and hikes: traverse boardwalks, backcountry trails and suspended canopy walks to enjoy forest vistas, heritage sites, pristine jungle lakes and falls feeding natural pools. Glimpse magnificent, clouded leopards, pythons and perhaps even Bornean Pygmy Elephants. Float the Danum by tube and embark on a thrilling jungle safari by night, getting beneath the surface of Sabah’s alluring ancient forests.
This journey outline is by no means fixed. As the traveller takes centre stage in our planning – from the type of lodging to daily activities – your journey will be crafted to suit you.
Day by Day Highlights
Day 1 Arrival in Sandakan
Arrive in Sandakan Airport, proceed for your private transfer to the lodge. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 Sandakan– Sukau
After breakfast, stop by the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and understand more about the plight of these revered creatures. Take a stroll through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans. Then visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which rescues captured sunbears and focuses on conservation. After lunch, be transferred to Sandakan jetty, which will take you to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife. End the night observing glittering fireflies on the mangrove trees while enjoying a candle-lit dinner.
Day 3 Sukau
Embark on an early morning river cruise in search of waking wildlife and birds which are most active in the morning on your way to the Kelenanap Ox-Bow lake. After breakfast, proceed for an educational walking tour along the lodge's Hornbill Boardwalk with an in-house naturalist after which you'll have some time to relax. After a sumptuous lunch, join in on a talk on Orang Utans and head out onto the river cruise once again in search of more wildlife. Breathe in rainforest air and capture the moments as you return at sunset from our final river cruise.
Day 4 Sukau– Lahad Datu - Danum Valley
After breakfast, transfer via overland to Lahad Datu (~2 hours) where we'll stopover for lunch and registration. Drive for another 2.5 hours to Borneo Rainforest Lodge. In the afternoon, explore the amazing Canopy walkway trail. In the evening, go spotlighting in an open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal animals.
Day 5 Danum Valley
Head out on an early morning walk after breakfast to “Coffin Cliff” for a bird’s eye view of the area. The trail takes you on a jungle trek to the Kadazandu sun burial site. Spend the morning exploring the forest for birds and mammals, leading up to an escarpment with ancient burial coffins. After lunch at the lodge, trek or head to a relaxing session of tubing down the Danum River. After dinner, venture into the jungle on foot with your private guide to search for nocturnal animals.
Day 6 Danum Valley
After breakfast, trek through the lush green jungle to visit Fairy Falls and/or Serpent Falls. Take a dip in the natural pool. Explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax. In the afternoon, take a guided trek along Segama River or spend the day at your leisure.
Day 7 Lahad Datu - Danum Valley – Kota Kinabalu
Afterlunch, you will depart to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Arriveat Kota Kinabalu Airport, transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Day 8 DepartKota Kinabalu
After breakfast, depart toKota Kinabalu Airport for your transfer home.
Between May and June. Avoid the peak season of July and August as availability of accommodation and guides may be limited.
Level of difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Indicative price
From USD 5,500/person for min. 2 pax on a private basis. Excludes international flights.
As we’ll customise your journey based on your preferences and needs, please note that this indicative price is just a rough estimate. Prices can fluctuate depending on season, type of accommodation and activities/experiences chosen (private vs. shared) etc.
This journey outline is by no means conclusive. It is just a guideline and can be tailored according to your comfort level, interests and preferences for every detail from accommodation to activities.
